Lead

Lead poisoning is a preventable environmental disease, yet Wisconsin's children are three times more likely to suffer from lead poisoning than the national average.

Homes built before 1978, when lead paint was banned from the American market, are likely to contain lead-based paint. Lead poisoning causes serious and permanent health problems in young children including reduction in intelligence and attention span, reading and learning disabilities, behavior problems, impaired hearing, kidney damage and slowed growth.

Public Health professionals provide information, assistance, recommendations, assessment, and referrals to children and families with elevated blood lead levels.

It is recommended that all children be tested for elevated blood levels at ages 1 and 2 years of age and between 3-5 years of age if not previously tested.